Chatthe in familiar territory as speed merchants race in Kisumu big start
Hussein Malik, co-driven by Absalom Aswani in a Mitsubishi Evolution 6 at this year’s KCB Nanyuki Rally. The two will compete in the KCB Kisumu Rally on October 18, 2014. PHOTO | ANWAR SIDI |
What you need to know:
- Injured Baryan out of Saturday’s event alongside Ugandans Sachania and Blick
- Nairobi-based Baryan enjoys the company of Briton Drew Sturrock with whom he finished third overall in the KCB Safari Rally in a Subaru Impreza GVB13.
All eyes will be on Jaspreet Chatthe as he seeks to win his home event, the KCB Kisumu Rally, that starts on Saturday in the lake-side town.
Chatthe has already caused surprises, winning both in Tanzania and Nanyuki but Manvir Baryan has withdrawn from the event at the last minute.
The 23-year-old driver is a favourite to repeat his winning heroics in Kisumu today as he is familiar with the stages of the event which is the penultimate round of the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship.
“I am confident, knowing that the event will be held on my back yard but I need to be very careful as slippery conditions can send any driver of the track if it continues raining in the area. I’m not scared of wet rallies but I need to be more cautious in my approach,’’ said Chatthe.
Mitsubishi Lancer driver, one of the few top drivers in Kenya to have engaged foreign navigators, has already won the KCB Nanyuki Rally and Tanzania’s round of the African Rally Championship in a single season, navigated by Zambian David Sihiko. Sihiko is also the defending FIA African Rally Navigator Champion.
Nairobi-based Baryan enjoys the company of Briton Drew Sturrock with whom he finished third overall in the KCB Safari Rally in a Subaru Impreza GVB13.
However, Baryan pulled out of the event before Friday’s official recce, citing an injured toe. “A small cut on my toe turned out to be worse than I expected. I can’t put on my shoes because of the injury so I have withdrawn from the event,’’ said Baryan. His Subaru car will be driven by former British Rally champion, Tapio Laukkanen. Also out are Ugandans Nikhil Sachania and Leila Blick.
Carl Tundo, the former national champion, is seeded first in his Proton S2000 out of the 32 cars expected to start this morning from Kisumu. He will be followed by Chatthe.
The event will start at 7am from the KCB Bank branch in Kisumu before cars head to Miwani for the first competitive stage where the first car is expected at 8am. Chemase, which will host the main Service Park, will also host the prize-giving ceremony at around 5pm.
Focus is expected to be on Baldev Chager and Tundo who are battling it out for the overall title of the 2014 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship series.
